This paper deals with Orwell’s text ‘Shooting an Elephant’. I use the term text deliberately since my topic says “George Orwell: ‘Shooting an Elephant’ - Short Story or Essay on the Essence of Colonialism”. The question of genre has been debated for decades and there have been several quarrels about allocating it to a certain genre. Most experts, however, call the text an essay but there are also those who insist on the text belonging to the group of the short stories.
In my paper I will work out features of both genres and at the end of my study I will sum up the findings and draw a conclusion.
First, I will give a short definition of the terms ‘Short Story’ and ‘Essay’. This is to show the characteristics of the two genres that I will pick up again in the course of this paper. After a brief summary I will start the analysis of the text working out topics like parallels to Orwell’s life, the meaning of the elephant or the construction of the text. In the final part I will sum up my results and draw a conclusion.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definitions
- Definition 'Essay'
- Definition "Short Story"
- Plot Summary
- Analysis
- Arguments for the Essay
- Parallels to Orwell's Biography
- Parallels between Orwell and the Narrator
- The narrator's conflict
- The Symbol of the Elephant
- Arguments for the Short Story
- Construction
- Title, Beginning and Ending
- Arguments for the Essay
- Conclusion
- Sources
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this paper is to analyze George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant," examining whether it functions as a short story or an essay on the essence of colonialism. The analysis will explore the genre conventions of both forms and determine which best suits the text based on its features.
- Genre classification of "Shooting an Elephant"
- The impact of colonialism on both the colonizer and the colonized
- The role of personal experience and biography in shaping the narrative
- Symbolism and its interpretation within the text
- The interplay between individual conscience and societal pressure
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This paper explores the genre of George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant," debating whether it's a short story or an essay reflecting on colonialism. The author outlines the paper's structure: defining "essay" and "short story," summarizing the plot, analyzing the text (exploring biographical parallels and symbolism), and concluding with a determination of the genre. The introduction establishes the central question and methodology of the analysis.
Definitions: This chapter provides definitions of "essay" and "short story" to establish the criteria for genre classification later in the analysis. The definition of the "essay" highlights its non-fictional, subjective nature, often drawing parallels to the author's life, and its flexibility in structure. Conversely, the "short story" is defined as fictional prose characterized by brevity, unity of time, setting, and plot, often employing symbolic characters and an abrupt beginning and end. This establishes a framework for comparing and contrasting these genre characteristics with Orwell's text.
Plot Summary: Set in Moulmein, Burma, under British Imperial rule, the narrative follows a British police officer who witnesses anti-European sentiment among the Burmese people. Despite his own sympathy for the natives, he's compelled to uphold imperial authority. Called to subdue a rampaging elephant, he finds the animal peaceful, yet succumbs to the pressure of the watching Burmese crowd and shoots it. The act, though motivated by a desire to maintain power, leaves him deeply conflicted and reveals the moral complexities of colonialism.
Analysis: This chapter delves into arguments for classifying "Shooting an Elephant" as an essay. The first sub-section focuses on parallels between the story and Orwell's life, noting his experience as a police officer in Burma and highlighting specific biographical connections to places and events described in the story, including his time in Moulmein and a visit to a Burmese prison. The section reveals Orwell’s personal engagement with the events depicted and his anti-imperialist views, strengthening the argument for an essay’s inherently personal and reflective nature.
Keywords
George Orwell, Shooting an Elephant, colonialism, essay, short story, genre, Burma, imperialism, British Empire, personal experience, symbolism, power, oppression, guilt, anti-imperialism.
Frequently Asked Questions: George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" - A Genre Analysis
What is the main objective of this analysis?
The primary goal is to determine whether George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" functions primarily as a short story or an essay, focusing on its exploration of colonialism.
What aspects of the text are analyzed to reach this conclusion?
The analysis examines the genre conventions of both essays and short stories, comparing them to the features present in Orwell's work. This includes exploring the plot, the narrative style, the use of symbolism, biographical parallels to Orwell's life, and the overall thematic concerns.
What are the key themes explored in "Shooting an Elephant"?
Key themes include the impact of colonialism on both the colonizer and the colonized, the role of personal experience in shaping the narrative, the significance of symbolism within the text, and the tension between individual conscience and societal pressure.
How does the analysis define "essay" and "short story"?
The analysis defines an essay as a non-fictional, subjective piece of writing, often drawing on the author's personal experiences and exhibiting flexibility in structure. A short story, conversely, is defined as a fictional prose narrative characterized by brevity, unity of time, setting, and plot, often utilizing symbolic characters and an abrupt beginning and end.
What is the plot summary of "Shooting an Elephant"?
The story is set in Moulmein, Burma, during British Imperial rule. A British police officer, despite his sympathy for the Burmese people, is compelled to shoot a rampaging elephant to maintain his authority and appease the watching crowd. This act leaves him deeply conflicted, highlighting the moral complexities of colonialism.
How does the analysis use biographical information about Orwell?
The analysis draws parallels between the events in the story and Orwell's own life experiences as a police officer in Burma. Specific biographical connections to locations and events strengthen the argument for the essay's inherently personal and reflective nature.
What is the significance of symbolism in the analysis?
The analysis examines the symbolism within the text, particularly the symbolic weight of the elephant itself, to further understand the narrative's meaning and support the genre classification.
What is the conclusion of the analysis regarding the genre of "Shooting an Elephant"?
The conclusion of the analysis, found in the final chapter, definitively classifies the work as either an essay or a short story based on the preceding arguments and analysis.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: George Orwell, Shooting an Elephant, colonialism, essay, short story, genre, Burma, imperialism, British Empire, personal experience, symbolism, power, oppression, guilt, anti-imperialism.
Where can I find the complete analysis?
The complete analysis is available in the provided document which includes a detailed table of contents, chapter summaries, and in-depth analysis.
- Quote paper
- Swantje We (Author), 2010, "Shooting an Elephant" of George Orwell - Short Story or Essay on the Essence of Colonialism?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/170862
